Asian

Kurdistan: Christian suburb of Ankawa becomes a district with full powers

Ankawa, the Christian suburb of Erbil, the capital of Iraqi Kurdistan, has been designated a district. In the past it welcomed thousands of Christian families who fled from Mosul and the Nineveh plain following the rise of the Islamic State group. Kurdistan Region Prime Minister Masrour Barzani made the announcement on Monday during a visit […]

Thailand steps up crackdown on human traffickers

Thai authorities are stepping up their campaign against human traffickers who continue smuggl-ing large numbers of migrants from neighbouring countries. They are issuing arrest wa-rrants for people smugglers whose assets will be seized if they are convicted of human trafficking, money laundering and other crimes, according to Labour Minister Suchart Chom-klin. In addition, the Ministry […]

Catacombs to remind Korean Catholics of early persecution

The Archdiocese of Gwangju in South Korea has installed 14 catacomb murals in a Catholic cemetery to help the faithful pray and meditate as well as to learn about the early days of the Church and the persecution of Christians. Archbishop Hyginus Kim Hee-joong of Gwangju blessed the murals on the wall behind Catholic Park […]

Army Attacks Continue in Myanmar’s Most Christian State

More than 160 buildings in a town in north-western Myanmar, including at least two churches, have been destroyed by fires caused by shelling by government troops, local media and activists reported Saturday. The destruction of parts of the town of Thantlang in Chin state appeared to be another escalation in the ongoing struggle between Myanmar’s military-installed […]

Afghan Muslims Are Asking Questions on Christianity

Mike Christian and his wife lead a small congregation called the Afghan-American Church of the Bay Area. But their main ministry is not gathering with a dozen or so Afghan believers during the week. It is engaging with the tens of thousands of Afghan seekers from around the world who reach out through messaging apps, social media, and […]

Pakistan government supports Taliban: Catholic priest

The government in Pakistan celebrated the Taliban’s rise to power in Afghanistan, a senior priest has said, stressing that “the brotherhood of the two countries” means they are prejudiced against Christians and other non-Muslims. Speaking to Aid to the Church in Need (ACN), Father Mushtaq Anjum, the only Pakistani priest of the Order of St […]

The soaring cost of justice for minorities in Pakistan

Costs and lack of helpful resources are the most prominent barriers for religious minorities in accessing justice in Pakistan, according to a survey by a legal group. “Religious minorities were less confident about attaining a fair trial compared to their Mu-slim counterparts. They foremost identified themselves as not aff-luent and powerful, and therefore not possessing […]

Catholics urged to join evangelization in Vietnam

Catholics in Vietnam are urged to celebrate the coming World Mission Sunday by praying the Our Father and reaching out to people in need. Bishop Matheus Nguyen Van Khoi of Qui Nhon said October is chosen as the Mission Month, starting with the feast of St. Therese of the Child Jesus, patroness of mission lands, […]

Eviction-facing Indian Catholics to fight Muslim charity’s claims

Goans oppose tourism project near 16th century basilica